Lecavalier on signing in Philly: 'I wanted to be in a hockey market'

by
Thomas Drance
Sep 15, 11:05 AM

Flyers center Vincent Lecavalier was a highly sought after free-agent this June following Tampa Bay's use of a compliance buyout on his lengthy contract. He landed in Philadelphia and from the sounds of it is excited to play in a ravenous hockey market for the first time in his career.

"I wanted to be in a hockey market," Lecavalier told CSN Philly's Tim Panaccio in an extended interview this weekend, "I’m not going to lie."

"I’ve only been here a week but there is definitely that feel (of a true hockey town)," continued Lecavalier. "This is a big hockey market. People really know the game. I’m excited to come to a game here. Be nice to cheer for us and not against me. This is a really -- you can feel it around town. People are excited. It’s a huge hockey market."

The Philadelphia Flyers will open their preseason with back-to-back games against the Maple Leafs in London and Toronto beginning on Sunday night.